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Robert Kennedy Jr.s quote on the vaccine issue is this. “I am not and have never been anti-vaccine. I’ve always said that I’m for safe vaccines and robust science and for regulatory agencies that are free from conflicts of interest and financial entanglements with the pharmaceutical industry.”

The relentless attacks on Robert F. Kennedy from legacy media go beyond his views on vaccines, but vaccinations are home based for the attacks. Kennedy is attacking the vaccine cartel and has been effectively branded. Fortunately Bill Maher, Joe Rogan and many others have given him a voice.

On June 19, a large Israeli military force raided the northern Palestinian town and refugee camp of Jenin from multiple directions. Not only did the raid fail, it backfired, and it also created a precedent in Israel’s decades-long war on the ever-rebellious Palestinian region. 

"Berlusconi is there because others have failed." These words by Italian columnist Massimo Franco were made to the Washington Post in 2018, shortly before the Italian March elections. They sum up the story of Italy's modern politics.

 Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's adored but also loathed longest-serving prime minister died on June 12. His party, Forza Italia, is a partner in Italy's current government coalition, led by Giorgia Meloni. 

Berlusconi has not served as a prime minister since 2011. Despite his old age - he died at 86 - and his many scandals, he continued to cast a shadow over Italian politics, even when dying at Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital.

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Job opening: Prime minister.

Must be able to end Thailand's cycle of coups by satisfying the demands of Thailand's U.S.-trained, putsch-empowered military.

Must be able to seduce junta-appointed senators into supporting the next government, and continue capitalist Thailand's balancing of relations with the U.S. and China.

Unfortunately for Pita Limjarouenrat -- the May 14 election winner to be prime minister -- the Election Commission on June 9 opened a "criminal case" against him for alleged election fraud, punishable by 10 years in prison and a political ban for 20 years.

Mr. Pita is vulnerable because his new Move Forward Party's (MFP) nationwide election victory was buoyed by idealistic, anti-military voters.

That rang alarms throughout Thailand's increasingly insecure army establishment.

Put on the khaki uniform of a politically entrenched general, and it is easy to understand why you might regard Mr. Pita's election as a challenge.